Eddy Merckx Bio (Biography)
Real name:
Eddy Merckx
Date of birth:
June 17. 1945
Place of birth:
Meensel-Kiezegem, Belgium
Astrology Sign:
Gemini
Tags:
Biography
Eddy Merckx, whose real name is Edouard Louis Joseph Merck, was born on June 17th, 1945 in Belgium. Merckx was a professional cyclist before he retired; however, he is considered by many to be the best cyclist of all time as he has set several world records some of which remain intact even today.
When he was twenty-six Merckx started competing in the amateur category. He rose to the ranks of a professional cyclist four short years later. Two years later in 1967 he became the world champion in a race in The Netherlands. However, the pinnacle of his career would come in 1969 at his Tour de France debut when he achieved a trifecta by winning the overall leader, the best sprinter, and the "King of the Mountains". No other cyclist has been able to match this feat at the Grand Tour level. While Lance Armstrong broke the record of overall wins with seven in 2005, Merckx still holds the records for stage wins at 34 and number of days spent in the Yellow Jersey at 96.
Merckx continued to race throughout the 1960's and the better part of the 1970's until retiring at the age of 33 in 1978. Before he retired he managed to break many records in several different racing venues. Despite all of his records, there was one record that he was unable to break due to violence. In 1977's Tour de France he was attempting to win his sixth race, which would have broken the record set by Frenchman Jacques Anquetil. This sparked a lot of anger on the part of the French who were upset at the thought of a Belgian breaking the record. So, during stage fourteen of the race a French spectator leapt from the crowd and punched him in the liver. Later in the same race he collided with a Danish rider that resulted in his jaw being broken. And, while he was unable to eat solid food or talk, he finished the race.
Since retiring Eddy Merckx has settled down into everyday life while still remaining true to his passion by owning a bicycle factory and being a race commentator; not to mention the fact that his son Axel also became a professional cyclist. In 2000 he was chosen as the Belgian "Sports Figure of the Century", proving the potency of his legacy.
When he was twenty-six Merckx started competing in the amateur category. He rose to the ranks of a professional cyclist four short years later. Two years later in 1967 he became the world champion in a race in The Netherlands. However, the pinnacle of his career would come in 1969 at his Tour de France debut when he achieved a trifecta by winning the overall leader, the best sprinter, and the "King of the Mountains". No other cyclist has been able to match this feat at the Grand Tour level. While Lance Armstrong broke the record of overall wins with seven in 2005, Merckx still holds the records for stage wins at 34 and number of days spent in the Yellow Jersey at 96.
Merckx continued to race throughout the 1960's and the better part of the 1970's until retiring at the age of 33 in 1978. Before he retired he managed to break many records in several different racing venues. Despite all of his records, there was one record that he was unable to break due to violence. In 1977's Tour de France he was attempting to win his sixth race, which would have broken the record set by Frenchman Jacques Anquetil. This sparked a lot of anger on the part of the French who were upset at the thought of a Belgian breaking the record. So, during stage fourteen of the race a French spectator leapt from the crowd and punched him in the liver. Later in the same race he collided with a Danish rider that resulted in his jaw being broken. And, while he was unable to eat solid food or talk, he finished the race.
Since retiring Eddy Merckx has settled down into everyday life while still remaining true to his passion by owning a bicycle factory and being a race commentator; not to mention the fact that his son Axel also became a professional cyclist. In 2000 he was chosen as the Belgian "Sports Figure of the Century", proving the potency of his legacy.